Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all,
Ugh, well when last I posted about Kona, (beginning of October) we had taken her to the vet because it seemed as though she had 'tweaked' her remaining back leg…..that's what they determined too after xrays and exam…
We were put on deramaxx and something else (my head's is foggy at this point)…anyway, she started to improve and it definitely helped to lower her pain. She was to be on bedrest to heal………..
Ok, so we did that and then her leg started to get really weak and wobbly. Harder and harder to stand/walk. Began rehab on her……weaker yet…then she lost her bowel and urinary control. Our vet had us go to a neurologist to see if the main issue is pain or neuro… It appears as though it's a pinched nerve or disc issue in her lower back, near tail. She can hold her urine, but not her bowel, lower end has obvious paralysis. She developed runny poop, uncontrolled…and is now on three different meds for that to correct it, as well as no deramaxx, but she's on prednosone and tramadol. We're realizing that the way her back leg is, we're looking at the future of a pup cart. That's ok, we just hope she can regain bowel control to some degree. We're so sad. Here she went through osteosarcoma, then chemo and is showing to be cancer free (xrays) and #$%$### !!!
We just do not know what to do……..what the future holds.
There have been some small improvements this weekend…she's feeling a light touch with paper to her tail and her tail has made a couple movements left/right…..and she seems at least more aware of when poop is coming out….and yes, it distresses her. the meds for that are a 21 day course….
I know that with all the meds she's on right now are causing some of her sleepy, sad disposition. I know that the tramadol can do that.
Anyone have any experience/knowledge to share?
Please hold her in your thoughts, my friends.
thank you,
tearfully, Denise
Kona turned 9yrs on April 16, 2010.
Kona was diagnosed Memorial Weekend 2010 with osteosarcoma.
Right rear leg amputated on June 4th. First chemo June 18th 2010
Second chemo July 9th, 2010 Third and final (yea !!!) chemo July 30th, 2010
ONE TOUGH GIRL this Australian Cattledog !
***Kona's journey/fight ended late in the evening of December 22, 2010***
We Love you so much Kona….always
Bella 9yrs, albino lab/aussie shep/pit?(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind (from birth) in one eye limited vision in other.(laid back, ok lazy 73 lbs)
Cotton, 5yrs, albino hound/terrier of somesort/???(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind in one eye(from birth), excellent vision in seeing eye. (ball addict…destroyer of Kong balls…yes,etc), high energy 55lbs knots of muscle)
Kona Kai's pup brother and sister as well as her buddy and playmate cat, Shaymous 12yrs (like Seamus), miss her terribly.
No words of wisdom from my end, but want you and Kona to know you will be in my thoughts. This must be horrible for you. Sending good thoughts for you and healing thoughts for Kona.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
I don't have any experience or knowledge to share either, Denise, but I'm so very sorry to hear about Kona's continuing problems.
Sending healing wishes.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
So sorry to hear this. I don't have advice, but I thought I'd share a story about our other dog who went paralyzed from the "waist" down.
We had a miniature daschund for 5 years and one day we found her dragging her back feet. When we took her to the vet apparently she had slipped a disk in her back and had absolutely no bowl function. She couldn't go period. Unfortunately in her case there was nothing to be done so we had to put her down. However, not a month later I saw on animal planet a leopard (some big cat) had some sort of back end paralysis (don't know from what), but they ended up doing lots of acupuncture to stimulate the areas and eventually the leopard had full function of the legs again.
I don't know if this is a possibility for Kona Kai since this happened so long ago. Regardless, we are thinking positive thoughts for you!
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
So sorry to hear about this latest news with Kona Kai. I don't have any experience with this eitherbut I wanted to let you know we're thinking of you and keeping our paws and fingers crossed for some kind of positive outcome.
Laura, Kali and Angel Tai
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
OH Denise,
I'm just so sorry to hear about Kona. What a terrible, terrible turn of events. I don't have any experience but I can send huge abouts of healing thoughts and I will. I hope this is just a lower back disc problem that can be treated.
Both of you are in my thoughts,
Comet's mom
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Denise, our hearts go out to you. We were wondering how things were going and so bummed you couldn't make it to the 2 Million Dogs walk yesterday in Auburn.
As for Kona Kai's condition, we recently did a Tripawds Amazon post about Tucker, a Lab who recovered from rear end paralysis from a pulmonary embolism in the spine. The book, "Help, My Dog Has Fallen and Can't Get Up" details his therapy. The author is a wonderful person and I'm sure she would be happy to talk to you. PM me if you'd like me to pass along your contact information to her.
We have also had physical therapists tell us that they have gotten dogs walking without surgery after a pinched nerve/slipped disc. Depending on a dog's pre-existing issues, there are situations like these where recovery is entirely possible.
If Kona is otherwise healthy, there are things that can help. We have hope in our hearts that Kona will recover.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh Denise, we are so sorry to hear this news about Kona. I can't even imagine how difficult this must be for you right now and for Kona. We will be sending you lots of healing thoughts and prayers and we hope Kona pulls through this ok. Please keep us posted.
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Please know that we're thinking of you and wishing the best for Kona Kai. Thanks for checking in.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So sorry to hear of Kona Kai's troubles. I am sending tons of love and healing thoughts to you all.
I truly hope that some of Jerry's suggestions can help.
Spirit JD's mom
JD
One Tough Girl
(1999-2010)
-Diagnosed with osteosarcoma of her left front leg –
-Amputation July 23 2010 –
-The cancer didn't get her, but she is gone-
-She fought the cancer and loved life till bloat brought her down August 29th, 2010-
Now she watches over her mom and two new sisters, the Quad-Paws Serena and Maya
I don't know what to say either. My rottie mix had auto immune which had some of the same symptoms but it doesn't sound like they are all the same. I love Kona Kai's sweet smiling face and I am sure that she is very adored. I will be sending healing prayers out for you and Kona that this is just a bump in the road of a great life with you.
My friend at work is going through this right now with her dog and her vet is stymied about what to do. Her dog is an 11 year old girl who just started dropping to the ground if you touch her back end at all. Also, a complete loss of control on her bowels for #2. They have her on steriods. I hope you let us know how it is going with her. I will post here too if those steroids end up helping.
Many Blessings and hugs,
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Sending lots of healing and loving thoughts your way. We will keep you both in our thoughts and are hoping the best for Kona Kai.
Fortis'Dad
Hi Denise,
I'm sorry Kona is having trouble.
This sounds similar to what Charlie went through. HERE is a link to Viking Queen's post when Charlie started having mobility issues. HERE is another talking about back issues. Hopefully Kona has a different outcome than Charlie- every dog is different. Charlie's issues seemed to be related to his size and age. I am sending you these links to see if Charlie's symptoms soundfamiliar to what Kona is dealing with, and if so maybe you could send a PM to Viking Queen- she might have some insights or info she can share.
Sending positive thoughts your way.
Karen
Our Pitbull Kona had a similar problem 4 years ago. I think she got bowled over by our French Mastiff Loki (he is kind of a tank) and gradually lost function in her back legs. She wasn't painful but couldn't get up on her own and could not use her rear legs well. I started her on prednisone when she started to lose bowel function but that didn't help. I took her to the neurologist for an MRI and she had over 4 prolapsed discs in her spine in all sections of the cord (neck, thoracic, and lumbar) so she wasn't a candidate for surgery. I thought I might have to put her down but fortunately my neurologist was also trained in acupuncture so we gave that a try.
To make a long story short Kona is still with us! I had to help her walk with a sling and she wore booties on her back feet to prevent damage to the nails (from dragging her feet) but after 4 weeks she was walking and pooping on her own. She initially had an acupuncture treatment every 7-14 days but now she only needs them every 5 weeks. I have found that gabapentin helps her quite a bit (she is now up to 600 mg three times daily) and she also takes Zubrin, Tramadol, and some Chinese herbs.
How far away from Tacoma/Olympia are you? I use Dr Patti Schaeffer for acupuncture and holistic medicine and she is great!
Pam
Kona is a true survivor Doc, wow. Thanks for sharing those details, now we know of another success story in case this ever happens to someone else (sure hope not).
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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